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Understanding 9/11The Black Museum
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THE BLACK MUSEUM
Opening in 1875, the Crime Museum at Scotland Yard is the oldest museum in the world purely for recording crime. The name "Black Museum" was coined in 1877 by a reporter from "The Observer", a London newspaper, although the museum is still referred to as the Crime Museum. It is this museum that inspired The Black Museum radio series, produced in London by Harry Alan Towers.
From Jay Hickerson's "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All Circulating Shows", the earliest US broadcast date was January 1, 1952. Thirty nine shows, from the full syndication of fifty two shows, aired over Mutual stations from January 1, 1952 through June 24, 1952 and September 30, 1952 through December 30, 1952.
This may be the earliest broadcast of the series worldwide. It was later broadcast over Radio Luxembourg starting May 7, 1953. Radio Luxembourg broadcast sponsored programs at night to England (the BBC was state-owned and had no commercials). The shows were sponsored by Dreft and Mirro (cleaning products).
The series continued to be offered in syndication and was heard on AFRTS broadcasts and in the US on NPR stations through the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Some shows were broadcast by the BBC in England in 1994.
This murder mystery series was based on true life cases from Scotland Yard's files. Each episode was based on an item or items of evidence in the museum.
Orsen Welles hosted and narrated the shows. Mr. Welles opened each show slightly differently but followed a standard format. For example, the show, "The Bathtub", open as follows:"This is Orson Welles speaking from London." (Big Ben starts himing in the background). "The Black Museum, repository of death... Here, in this grim stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard, is a warehouse of homicide, where everyday objects, a piece of wire, a chemist's flask, a silver shilling, all are touched by murder." (dramatic music)Following the opening, Mr. Welles would introduce the museum's item or items of evidence that was central to the case, leading into the dramatization. He also provided narration during the show and ended each show with his characteristic closing from the days of his Mercury Theater of the Air, remaining "obediently yours".
Harry Alan Towers produced the series from scripts written by Ira Marion. Music was composed and conducted by Sidney Torch.
The museum was not open to the general public. It's purpose was then, and still is, for police training, although it did receive a considerable number of famous people, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is currently used as a lecture theater for the police and like bodies in various subjects of Criminology. But, thanks to Mr. Towers and Mr. Welles, we can still get a glimpse of what secrets are housed in The Black Museum.
OTRR Release Information:
Series Name: The Black Museum
Release Status: OTRR Certified Accurate
Release Date: March 10, 2005
Release Version: Version 2
Number of CDs: 1
From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
Notes
OLD TIME RADIO RESEARCHERS GROUP
This is a production of the Old Time Radio Researchers (OTRR) Group located at Old Time Radio Researchers Website (www.otrr.org), Old Time Radio Researchers Facebook Group, and Old Time Radio Researchers Group.
It contains the most complete and accurate version of this series in the best sound possible at the time of creation. An updated version will be issued if more episodes or better sounding ones become available.
If you are interested in preserving Old Time Radio (OTR), you may wish to join the Old Time Radio Researchers Group at Facebook and Groups.io.
Relax, listen, and enjoy!
OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Maintained Set -- This set contains all known episodes in the best available audio condition with the most accurate dates and titles known to be in general circulation and based on current research at the time of release. Replaces OTRR Certified Accurate and OTRR Certified Complete.
OTRR Non-Maintained Set -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Maintenance process.
Pre-2019 OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Certified Accurate -- A series that was "Certified Accurate" indicated that all the episodes were properly identified and labeled based on current information but that the series did not contain all known extant episodes.
OTRR Certified Complete -- A series that was "Certified Complete" achieved the highest level of certification available under the OTRR Certified Standards. This certification level implied that all the files in the series were "Certified Accurate" and also indicated that the series was as complete as possible and included all circulating episodes.
OTRR Non-Certified -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Certification process.
Also, beginning in 2019, the version numbers of our OTRR releases changed format -- instead of v1.0 or v2.1, we are now using a version number that reflects the year and month the set was released. The format used is a two-digit year followed by a two-digit month. For example, "v1906" indicates a set that was released in June 2019, or "v1910" indicates a set released in October 2019.
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Reviews
Reviewer:
Offramp
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
May 24, 2016
Subject: One At A Time, Please!
Subject: One At A Time, Please!
I tried to like these as well. They are technically very good but if once listens to a lot of them sequentially serious problems become apparent.
First is that blaring music, which cuts in at every opportunity. It is NOT original music. I have heard it on other American radio series of the 1950s. It is just music sellotaped in to wherever the producer felt it should go, and taped in as often as possible ro fill in the gaps.
Secondly, the music brings me to another problem. Welles's dramatic delivery allied with the music constantly give the impression that the show is just about to end.
There might be 10 minutes left when Welles says, "...And that shoe is now an exhibit in The Black Museum" DA DA-DA-DA DADA!!!! But it is not the end, there is ages to go.
And lastly the stories, despite that blasting Dizzy Gillespie-ish refrain, are not that dramatic. They are about as dramatic as Dragnet but without that excellent series' tension and ambience. Some of these Black Museum stories are about the murder of someone like Mrs Buckley on her remote farm in Lincolnshire.
They are worth listening to one-at-a-time. More frequent than that and you'll get annoyed.
First is that blaring music, which cuts in at every opportunity. It is NOT original music. I have heard it on other American radio series of the 1950s. It is just music sellotaped in to wherever the producer felt it should go, and taped in as often as possible ro fill in the gaps.
Secondly, the music brings me to another problem. Welles's dramatic delivery allied with the music constantly give the impression that the show is just about to end.
There might be 10 minutes left when Welles says, "...And that shoe is now an exhibit in The Black Museum" DA DA-DA-DA DADA!!!! But it is not the end, there is ages to go.
And lastly the stories, despite that blasting Dizzy Gillespie-ish refrain, are not that dramatic. They are about as dramatic as Dragnet but without that excellent series' tension and ambience. Some of these Black Museum stories are about the murder of someone like Mrs Buckley on her remote farm in Lincolnshire.
They are worth listening to one-at-a-time. More frequent than that and you'll get annoyed.
Reviewer:
Librarian_Craig
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 10, 2015
Subject: The finest old-time-radio ever -- with one flaw
Subject: The finest old-time-radio ever -- with one flaw
"The Black Museum" is some of the finest old-time radio ever -- the acting, the writing, the foley.. even the music. And, of course, Orson Wells' narration. It's all A+ work.
But I never hear people reminisce about the show. I only discovered it here on archive.org.
I think this is because the show doesn't have a human center. It's like Dragnet without Joe Friday. But, if you can live with this flaw, it is some of the best old-time radio you will ever hear.
But I never hear people reminisce about the show. I only discovered it here on archive.org.
I think this is because the show doesn't have a human center. It's like Dragnet without Joe Friday. But, if you can live with this flaw, it is some of the best old-time radio you will ever hear.
Reviewer:
spook1958
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 19, 2012
Subject: Black Museum was Produced in Sydney Australia not London
Subject: Black Museum was Produced in Sydney Australia not London
Black Museum was produced in Sydney by Creswick Jenkinson on behalf of Towers of London. It had a top line Australian cast including Joe McCormick and transplanted U.S. actor Harp McGuire. It was deliberately produced for sale to the U.S. Orson Welles introductions were recorded on tape in London and flown to Australia to be added to the locally recorded performances.
This was the first series to be produced in Australia in this way. Harry Towers had visited Australia in the late 1940's and set up production facilities in Sydney. He also used a lot of Australian actors in his London productions and distributed Australian produced shows like The Sundowners in England.
This was the first series to be produced in Australia in this way. Harry Towers had visited Australia in the late 1940's and set up production facilities in Sydney. He also used a lot of Australian actors in his London productions and distributed Australian produced shows like The Sundowners in England.
Reviewer:
nighthouse66
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favorite -
January 1, 2011
Subject: I Tried-
Subject: I Tried-
..to like these, i have been listening to them over the past few months and i just haven't been able to find a truly creepy, interesting one out of the bunch. I am a fan of Orson Welles, especially his radio work, but these just strike me as tepid. I like "Whitehall 12 12" much more, though those can also be somewhat hit or miss. Wish Orson did more than narrate....
Reviewer:
Poe1809
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 23, 2010
Subject: ..
Subject: ..
I don't necessarily disagree that the shows aren't creepy in the way some other shows are, but these aren't fictional tales designed for that purpose. They are, however, creepy as hell when you look at them from the perspective of actual events.
Plus, anything with Welles is a must listen.
Plus, anything with Welles is a must listen.
Reviewer:
olddj1
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 9, 2009
Subject: Great Shows, Welles not paid?
Subject: Great Shows, Welles not paid?
These are wonderful programs. When broadcast on the radio they were riveting. Welles made a trip to Boston in the mid-1970's for "An Evening with Orson Welles" at Symphony Hall. In the event, snow was falling, Welles was late, and when he came onstage said he had nothing prepared. He asked for questions. Someone brought up the Black Museum shows and he said, "Ah, yes...I believe I am still waiting to be paid for those programs!"
Reviewer:
jerry r.
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 2, 2008
Subject: The Black Museum
Subject: The Black Museum
Orsen Wells carries this series excellantly. A must for all Well's fans. I rated it a five stars and a must for OTR Fans to download and listen.
Jerry R.
Jerry R.
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